Not Your Ordinary Professional Development
Last call for registrations for the Summer AgriCULTURE Institutes - Held In-Person.
The Colorado Foundation for Agriculture offers a professional development program for educators called the Summer AgriCULTURE Institutes. These Institutes are five-day courses, designed for teachers. Attendees learn about Colorado agriculture, tour farms, ranches, and food production facilities, and learn innovative, standards-based ways to incorporate food, fiber, fuel, and natural resource topics into academic curricula (including NGSS and STEM).
Teachers are able to earn 2.5 Continuing Education Units (37.5 clock hours) or 3 graduate level credits from Colorado State University by completing the course. Both courses will be held in-person, while following current CDPHE COVID-19 guidelines.
SAI 101: Grand Junction – July 12-16, 2021: This is a beginners course and explores agriculture on the Western Slope. This course is perfect for educators who want to learn about Colorado agriculture and the Agriculture in the Classroom program. Featured topics include beef production, fruit trees, water, grapes and wine-making, and more. If you live near Grand Junction or want to learn about the diversity of agriculture in that region, this is the course for you! Click here to register for SAI 101: Grand Junction.
SAI 201: Brighton/Front Range – July 19-23, 2021: This is a next-level course, designed for educators who have previously attended a Summer AgriCULTURE Institute, currently teach agricultural and environmental topics, use Agriculture in the Classroom resources/programs, or have an understanding of basic agricultural concepts. This course takes a deeper dive into the most important agriculture topics to Colorado (beef and dairy production, produce, water, school and urban gardens, plus more) – following agriculture from farm to fork. Click here to register for SAI 201: Brighton/Front Range.
|
|
National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference
Participate virtually for only $50.
You can still register to participate virtually in the 2021 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference "Fields of Dreams" scheduled for June 28-July 1 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa. The "hybrid" conference offers an in-person option for people who can travel and a live streaming/Zoom option for people who can not travel. There are no limits on virtual registration and it is available until the day before the conference starts.
Workshops, Keynote Speakers and More!
Workshops topics include soil science, embryology, school gardens, vermiculture and global land use and sustainability, among other topics for all grade levels. Curious what we have planned for keynote speakers, and what it will look like to participate virtually? All information can be found on the Conference Website.
|
|
|
|
Check out these lesson plans and resources from the National Agriculture Curriculum Matrix.
|
|
We Want You!
Applications open for the 2022 Outstanding Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Award
Do you teach your students about food and the environment? Maybe you work with students in a school garden. Or perhaps you have a creative approach for connecting students to their food, fiber, fuel, or natural resources. The Colorado Foundation for Agriculture wants to recognize Colorado educators who teach students about the importance of agriculture through CFA's Outstanding Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Award.
The award is open to any Colorado teacher currently engaged in teaching at the preK-12 grade levels. The award will be given based on the teacher’s creative efforts to integrate agriculture into his or her instruction and curricula to increase agricultural literacy. An agriculturally literate person is defined as “one who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life.”
District certified teachers that are currently engaged in integrating agricultural concepts into non-agricultural education settings at the preK-12 grade levels are eligible. Applications may be from an individual or a team of teachers working together. Middle and high school agricultural educators are not eligible for this award.
The winning Colorado teacher will receive a $500 monetary award and have up to $1,500 of his or her related expenses paid to attend the National Agriculture in the Classroom (NAITC) Conference June 28-July 1, 2022 in Saratoga Springs, New York. Please refer to the application for further eligibility and award information.
The deadline for application submission is October 15, 2021. The application may be found using the links below or contact Jennifer Scharpe, Colorado Foundation for Agriculture executive director at Info@GrowingYourFuture.com or 970-818-3308.
2022 Application
|
|
Professional Development for Science Teachers
This summer AFBFA will offer two half-day workshops focusing on best practices in science education and content enrichment from industry experts. The 2021 On The Farm Virtual Professional Development Program are designed to address Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These virtual workshops will focus on using agriculture to increase the relevancy and authenticity of content in science classrooms.
Day One: Increasing Relevancy and Authenticity with Phenomena Found in Agriculture
July 27, 10-2 CDT (4 free credit hours)
Participants will focus on three-dimensional learning; specifically, using anchoring phenomena to drive student sense-making and problem solving. Disciplinary core ideas will be reinforced through guest speakers from the agricultural community that apply these concepts on a daily basis.
Topics covered:
- Cattle genetics/variability of traits
- Biogenic carbon cycle
- Sustainability decisions made by producers
Day Two: Three-Dimensional Assessments using Agricultural Tasks
July 29, 10-2 CDT (4 free credit hours)
Participants will focus on three-dimensional learning; specifically, using anchoring phenomena to drive student sense-making and problem solving. Disciplinary core ideas will be reinforced through guest speakers from the agricultural community that apply these concepts on a daily basis.
Topics covered:
- Regenerative grazing & ecosystem dynamics
- Soil health
- Carbon sequestration in agricultural soils
- Carrying capacity of rangeland ecosystems
|
|
Colorado Foundation for Agriculture Opens Search for Board, Advisor Members
The Colorado Foundation for Agriculture is seeking candidates to serve on its board of directors and advisory committee. Applications are due July 15, 2021 and may be found at GrowingYourFuture.com.
The Colorado Foundation for Agriculture (CFA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit education corporation with the vision of advancing agricultural literacy in the next generation of citizens, consumers, and professionals. CFA's mission is connecting Colorado educators and students to their food, fiber, fuel, and natural resources. A seven- to nine-member voting board of directors governs the Foundation. The 12-member non-voting advisory committee helps guide the board on the development of resources and programs.
If you have a passion for advancing agricultural literacy, please consider applying. The task of helping our young people understand where their food comes from is a great one and we need dedicated individuals to help reach this goal.
**The application is due July 15, 2021.***
|
|
Bernhardt Consulting Co. Selected by the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture to Enhance the Organization's Fundraising Efforts
The Bernhardt Consulting Co. has been selected by the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture (CFA) to assist the organization with its fundraising initiatives.
CFA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational corporation and works with industry partners to help meet a shared vision of advancing Colorado agricultural literacy in the next generation of consumers, citizens, and professionals. CFA provides Agriculture in the Classroom® resources and programs to Colorado educators and students.
“I am pleased to be selected to work for the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture,” said Randy Bernhardt, president of Bernhardt Consulting Co. “We will work together to develop an organizational fundraising plan and to enhance their fundraising initiatives. Our work together will ensure a strong future for the organization.”
The addition of CFA to Bernhardt Consulting Co.’s portfolio of clients, expands the company’s impact on agricultural literacy in the United States. Bernhardt Consulting Co. also works for National Agriculture in the Classroom and the New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom. Additionally, 2021 marks the 5th year that the Bernhardt Consulting Co. has been recognized by Seattle-based Expertise LLC as one of the top Albuquerque-based PR firms.
“We’re pleased to be working with the Bernhardt Consulting Co.,” said Jennifer Scharpe, executive director of the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture. “Currently, the Bernhardt Consulting Co. primarily focuses on working for agricultural nonprofit organizations. The company will provide invaluable support for the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture and will help us accomplish our organization’s mission.”
|
|
Ways you can support Colorado Agriculture in the Classroom |
|
Link your King Soopers/City Market loyalty card and support the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture every time you shop. Visit the King Soopers Community Rewards page to sign up for this free program. |
|
Thank you to all who gave to CFA during Colorado Gives Day on Tuesday, December 8, 2020. If you haven't yet made a contribution, you may set up your gift at any time through the Community First Foundation.
|
|
You Shop. Amazon Gives. Every time you shop, AmazonSmile donates to the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture. |
|
The Colorado Foundation for Agriculture would like to thank all of our sponsors for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (since August 1, 2021). Please take a moment to view the list of all of our sponsors (Click here for PDF version). Despite the craziness of the year, we have continued the important work of connecting students and educators to their food, fiber, fuel, and natural resources. If you haven't yet made your annual contribution, there's still time - especially as we gear up to host two Summer AgriCULTURE Institutes for teachers in July.
Join our Fill the Apple Campaign by making your tax-deductible gift today. We are more than half-way to our fundraising goal for this school year and could use your support. Help us #FillTheApple by visiting: www.GrowingYourFuture.com/donate
We are aware that some donations have been lost in the mail. If you made a gift this year and you are not listed on our sponsor page, please contact us.
Giving is not just about making a donation.
It's about making a difference!
|
|
Colorado Foundation for Agriculture | 970-818-3308 | GrowingYourFuture.com |
|
10343 Federal Blvd Unit J Box 224, Westminster, CO 80260 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
